Wedding Professional Spotlight: The Queen Mary

On January 6, 2013 the Queen Mary will be hosting our 18th annual Bridal Showplace wedding show. Have you ever been to a wedding on the Queen Mary? It's seriously like nothing else you've seen.

They have been host to unforgettable Southern California Long Beach weddings for over 70 years. From large and lavish extravaganzas to small and intimate affairs, they can accommodate it.

Enjoy the warm California weather and get married on the bow or stern under the Gazebo during sunset. Or, if you’d prefer a more traditional setting, the beautifully crafted Royal Wedding Chapel will make any couple feel like a prince and princess.

From the stunning outdoor Sun Deck Gazebo, to their unique Sports Deck, to the vast Verandah Deck, to the private Wedding Chapel, the Queen Mary offers enchanting indoor and outdoor wedding venues unlike any other in Southern California.

If you'd like to check out the Queen Mary all the while checking out other amazing Southern California wedding professionals, come to the 18th annual Bridal Showplace wedding show aboard the Queen Mary on January 6, 2013. Get in line early because the first 500 Brides in line will receive a Certificate for a Romantic 4-Day Getaway. Need more information? Visit our website www.bridalshowplace.net for details.

Long Beach Show Coming Soon!

Our next Bridal Showplace Bridal Show will be at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach on January 6. This is going to be a brilliant way to kick off 2013, and one that is a definite don’t miss event.

As the largest and longest running bridal show in the Long Beach and South Bay area, you’ll be able to get a lot of your wedding planning worked out at our event. You’ll get to meet over 100 of Southern California’s top wedding professionals, and have a chance to win lots of great door prizes.

The Queen Mary is a great place to visit, and it’s a glamorous setting for our event. While there, you’ll get the chance to watch a fantastic fashion show, take part in ask the expert sessions, and listen to some of the best wedding entertainers around. You’ll also get to taste cake and other wedding food, and even enjoy mini massage and makeover sessions.

To find out more or buy tickets, visit our main site!

2012 Winter Wedding Ideas

Even though we might not have much of a winter here in Southern California, there’s no reason it
can’t make a great wedding theme. Winter weddings can be good fun for the couple and guests
alike.


By transforming your venue into a winter wonderland, you can make it feel like a snowy fairy tale,
even if you’re only a few feet from the beach. There are plenty of ways to give a winter feel, such as
crystal icicles, snow-coated branches, or twinkling lights.

Winter weddings can also take on holiday elements. With all the joy of Christmas added to the joy
of your wedding day, you and your guests will be sure to have a great day. It can also make it easy to
figure out your decorations.

The colors of a winter wedding can vary greatly, so don’t feel like you need to use red and green.
Blue, silver, or gold are all perfect winter wedding colors.

If you want to find out more about planning a perfect winter wedding, come to one of our wedding
shows and talk to our expert vendors!

2013 Wedding Color: Emerald Green

Each year, Pantone announces its color of the year. For 2013, it’s going to be all about Emerald. This green shade is based on the gemstone of the same name, and combines a natural elegance with a stand out vibrancy.

 

The color of the year reflects what the international color authority sees as the biggest upcoming trend. They look at designers, artists, and the entertainment industry to see what the big color trends are going to be. The 2012 wedding color, Tangerine Tango, certainly did show up throughout the year.

For brides, the color of the year can show up in all sorts of ways. Expect to see many designers adding emerald hints to their gowns and bridesmaid dresses. It’ll also show up in bouquets, shoes, and in décor.

 

We think it's a great trend, and Emerald can combine with other trends, such as lace, to give a great classy, vintage style. What do you think of the color? Will it feature in your wedding design?

Come visit top notch wedding professionals who can help you with the current wedding trends at our upcoming bridal shows.  Click here for the calendar.

 

Are Lighted Wedding Gowns the Next Big Thing

We’re always interested in the big bridal trends, and the world’s fashion weeks are great fun to watch to see what designers are coming up with. This week was Shanghai’s Fashion Week and there were a few surprises.

Many of the gowns on show were continuations of the trends that are going to be big for 2013. Lace looks to be very much a part of the bridal trends for the next few years, and color dresses are also going to remain a hot trend.

The real surprise came in Japanese designer Yumi Katsura’s collection, though. Along with the couture designer’s colorful collection of gowns were her three light-covered designs. These dresses each had small lights as part of the dress. Two styles had colored lights over a shoulder, while the full-skirted design was covered in white lights.

What do you think of the new Yumi Katsura design? Is it something that you think will catch on as a great way for the bride to stand out, or do you think it’ll be a passing fad fit only for the runway?

 

2013 Wedding Trend: Color

One great thing about going to a wedding event is the ability to see how current wedding trends are used. With an eye towards 2013’s top trends, we love what we’ve seen so far. One thing that is going to be a big trend for next year is color.

 

 

Here are some of the best ways to use color in your wedding.

• Dresses are getting colorful, with brides opting for something other than the traditional white. Mint and pale pinks are popular with designers, but a lot of brides are also looking at bolder choices. We love the idea of having the bridesmaids in white and the bride in a stand out colorful dress.

• Décor is also getting the rainbow treatment. A lot of couples are going bold with their venue decoration, including really vibrant tablecloths or runners. Flowers are also a great way of bringing color into your reception, and are a trend of their own.

• Food is also going to be a colorful part of 2013 weddings. With foodie weddings being more popular, expect wedding meals to be much better looking than in the past. Catering is getting creative, and the result is artistic touches to wedding meals.

What is your favorite way to see color incorporated into a wedding?

Cutting Down on Wedding Confusion

This week Keira Knightley admitted that she’s confused by the task of planning her wedding to Klaxons keyboardist James Righton. The star of Anna Karenina has been enjoying her engagement, but she told Ellen DeGeneres that an internet search of wedding ideas left her somewhat terrified.

 

Every bride has shared Keira’s worry at one point or another, and is probably also familiar with her experience of being asked when and where the big day is going to be. Whether you’re a celebrity bride or not, wedding planning is a big job. One great way to get a lot of planning done in a short time is to attend a bridal show.

By going to a bridal show, you have access to all types of wedding vendors. It can also help you think about all the things you’ll need, making sure you don’t forget a big part of the day. Many brides enjoy the bridal show experience, since it’s a fun day out and it lets you talk to potential vendors face to face. Check back here for information about wedding planning and bridal shows, and let us help you with any questions you have.